Aptenodytes

/ˌæptɛnəˈdaɪtiz/ noun

The scientific genus name for penguins, referring to birds with flippers instead of functional flying wings.

From Greek a- (without) + pteron (wing) + dytes (diver). The genus name literally means 'wingless diver,' reflecting how penguins cannot fly through air but are supreme divers in water.

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